> Iterating on battery design is important but it's important to realize that existing batteries are already pretty good. Seconding this. The current mainstrea

> Iterating on battery design is important but it's important to realize that existing batteries are already pretty good. Seconding this. The current mainstream will hover at around 200-220 Wh/kg for a long time. It already does. Cell energy densities above >200 Wh/kg were available for a long time, but even quite major car brands intentionally chose to not to use premium priced cells, and stayed on commodity grade ones. Cells sold on the open market still have a quite big double digit markup. Only direct sales to EV makers go below $100 per kWh. And yes, small cars for people only driving in the city make the most of cars sold around the world. Here, your observation is completely correct. In China, even lead acid battery powered cars find buyers in small towns, and villages. Dropping 100kg in lead, and structure from small cars with around 10kWh packs will make a big difference. It's not Tesla whom the big automakers are afraid of, it's Wuling MiniEVs — a car for a city driver which petrol powered cars can't beat at $5000 pricepoint.